Hamilton intent on emulating the best

Formula One: Lewis Hamilton's intention is to make emulate his hero Ayrton Senna this weekend and having missed out on his initial…

Formula One:Lewis Hamilton's intention is to make emulate his hero Ayrton Senna this weekend and having missed out on his initial chance in last year's Brazilian Grand Prix after cracking under the pressure he has returned with renewed determination.

He has a second opportunity to become the youngest Formula One world champion at the age of 23 years and 300 days, so beating the previous record set by former McLaren team-mate Fernando Alonso.

Even Senna had to wait until he was 28 before winning the first of his three titles prior to his untimely death at the age of just 34.

The iconic Brazilian is buried at Morumbi cemetery, 10 kilometres away from the Interlagos circuit where Hamilton hopes to be crowned on Sunday.

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Hamilton never met Senna, and he has yet to visit his grave, a pilgrimage he hopes to one day make when there is less attention around him.

But the affection in which he holds Senna cannot be underestimated as he said: "This is my second time here in Brazil, and each time I've touched down I've felt a different emotion.

"It's because he (Senna) meant so much to me in my life when I was younger, coming up through the ranks.

"I can still feel his presence, so to be mentioned in the same sentence as him is an honour.

"I don't aim to be, nor do I believe anyone can be, another Ayrton Senna. He was one of a kind.

"But I aim to try to make him proud and be as good as he was one day."

Hamilton today set about that task, focusing on what he does best in the wake of yesterday's emergence of a website in Spain featuring racist messages directed at the Briton.

Hamilton set the second best time behind title rival Felipe Massa in the morning session but was a lowly ninth and half a second down on Fernando Alonso in the afternoon.

The two-time world champion knocked Massa off top spot with the fastest lap of the day late on, setting a time of one minute 12.296 seconds.

Despite that, Hamilton maintains he is "very relaxed" in holding a seven-point lead over home hero Massa.

"Last year I came here with a lead, but I had a very bad race in China," added Hamilton. "I looked at this race and I was nervous. I had the weight of the world on my shoulders, and I had to deal with it. It was a very tough weekend.

"This weekend there is a different approach. I've come from a win, and I've matured a lot, last year and this year.

"So although it's going to be a very tough weekend, I feel very relaxed, and we've another great opportunity to win the title."